Groundskeeper (Parks)

Okaloosa County School System; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Okaloosa County School System is seeking a dedicated groundskeeper to perform grounds maintenance, custodial and landscaping tasks across school facilities. You will operate lawn equipment, manage plantings, assist with irrigation, and help keep outdoor spaces safe and inviting for students and staff.

Responsibilities include maintaining cleanliness, opening and securing sites, and driving county vehicles as needed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Six months of landscaping or grounds maintenance experience preferred.
• Must obtain ornamental pest control certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform grounds maintenance, landscaping and custodial tasks to keep facilities safe and attractive.
• Operate manual, electrical and gas-powered equipment including mowers, chainsaws and blowers.
• Sweep sidewalks, clean areas, and maintain storage rooms.
• Assist in installing landscaping and irrigation elements.
• Address safety hazards and report facility maintenance needs as required.
• Open and secure facilities at the start/end of each day; move furniture and equipment as needed.
• Operate county vehicle in the performance of duties.

Skills

Equipment operation

English communication

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Lawn mower

Chainsaw

Weed eater

Blower

Hedger

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Performs grounds maintenance, custodial, and landscaping tasks; provides safe, attractive, comfortable and clean places in which to engage in business or recreation.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Repairs and maintains grounds by cleaning, planting, fertilizing, mowing and pruning.
• Operates manual, electrical and gas-powered tools and equipment (i.e., lawn mower, chainsaw, weed-eater, blower, hedger, etc.).
• Sweeps and polices sidewalks and doorways; empties ashtrays and urns; removes weeds.
• Assists in installing landscaping and irrigation elements.
• Performs ornamental spraying with designated chemicals; meets all EPA standards and guidelines.
• Cleans equipment with assigned cleaning supplies; maintains cleanliness and order in assigned storage rooms.
• Prepares areas for sodding; repairs public safety hazards (i.e., ground holes, loose turf).
• Performs maintenance checks on custodial and grounds equipment and vehicles; performs repairs (i.e., small engine and electric motor overhauls, fuel system replacement, wiring, welding); reports equipment malfunctions and facility maintenance needs to supervisor.
• Ensures assigned facility is opened each day and secured upon completion of tasks.
• Moves furniture and other equipment.
• Operates county vehicle in the performance of duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience: High school diploma or GED preferred; supplemented by a minimum of six (6) months’ experience performing landscaping or grounds maintenance tasks, preferably in a commercial or similarly institutional environment; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Licenses and/or Certifications: Requires a valid driver license. Must obtain ornamental pest control certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to operate a variety of manual, electrical and gas-powered equipment and tools, including mowers, blowers, edgers, etc. Must be able to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or 50 pounds of force frequently, or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Must be able to complete work tasks by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities, back muscles and spine. This position requires the ability to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. Prolonged periods of walking and/or standing frequently are required in this position. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to convey, record and exchange information; requires the ability to explain procedures and to give, receive and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to read and interpret a variety of technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages used within the parameters of the job and with a broad array of individuals from various professional backgrounds.

INTELLIGENCE

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE

Must be able to add and subtract totals. May require the ability to multiply and divide.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress, imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, or public contact. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.

01

Please indicate which best describes your highest level of completed education.

• No formal education completed, but I have relevant experience
• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or above
• None of the above

02

Do you possess any commercial landscaping or grounds maintenance experience?

• Yes
• No

03

How many years of experience do you possess performing landscaping or grounds maintenance tasks, preferably in a commercial or similarly institutional environment?

• None
• At least 6 months
• At least 1 year but less than 2 years
• At least 2 years but less than 4 years
• At least 4 years but less than 6 years
• At least 6 years but less than 8 years
• 8 years or more

04

Do you have any outside labor experience?

• Yes
• No

05

Please describes your outside labor experience (if none, please enter "N/A") in the space provided.

06

Do you possess an ornamental pest control certification or can you obtain one within eighteen (18) months of hire?

• Yes, I possess an ornamental pest control certification.
• No, I do not possess an ornamental pest control certification but CAN obtain one within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• No, I do not possess an ornamental pest control certification and CANNOT obtain one within eighteen (18) months of hire.

07

Please indicate which type(s) of lawn maintenance equipment you have experience operating.

• Zero Turn Mower
• Small Tractor
• Dingo
• Other
• None

08

If you selected "Other" in the previous question, please list the lawn maintenance equipment you have experience with (if none, please enter "N/A") in the space provided.

09

Please select the days that you are available to work.

• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday

10

Do you possess a valid driver license?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question